weirdelf
By weirdelf, 30 March, 2015
S

Giving honest critique actually helps the giver at least as much as the recipient. For it requires analyzing exactly what one likes or dislikes about a poem which leads the giver to using more thought when writing their own poetry. So be selfish and give honest critique. The fact it might help others can be considered a bonus........stan

More than anything else the giving and receiving of critique is what makes Neopoet the best and most unique of poetry sites on the web. Over the last 8 years I have seen so many poets advance from 'roses are red and violets are blue' to fine wordcrafters and artists and it is through the process of giving and receiving critique. Not just in the Stream, of course, through the Workshops and Mentors program as well.
Receiving honest, constructive critique helps, of course, unless your work is already perfect, in which case you need psychiatric help, not a poetry site.
Learning to give critique is a powerful tool for improving one's craft in itself.

The new workshop "Critique and Criticism", starting on the 5th April will be invaluable to poets of all levels and those bravest and most genuine and generous will benefit as much as those most timorous and just starting to find their way.

I invite and encourage all to join.
cheers
Jess